Due to the “How many flutes does one person have/need?” thread. I have been thinking.
. Much has been said about buying a flute in the past. I have been liking at my collection of fifes and find that one only gets played for maintenance.
Hear is my problem. I do not know how to appraise my instruments and would be afraid of under charging or over charging. I also have no Idea what the resale of different instruments would be.
There is also the “good home” argument. I would rather sell low to a person that would play, rather than someone that would just buy low and sell high for a quick profit.
So assuming that some of you have sold one of the instruments that you have purchased over the years, What did you find as the best way?
I’ve bought and sold dozens of whistles and flutes on the Chiffboard. I’ve had no problems with any of the Chiffsters. I’ve also bought a few flutes on ebay and only had one problem (the flute was not what was advertised, and the seller took it back and refunded my money).
As to valuing instruments, I look at what a new one sells for and adjust accordingly – usually 75-100% the value of a new one depending on waiting list or what they usually fetch in the second-hand market. If it’s an antique, I look at what the same or similar instruments go for on ebay, etc. Like you, I’d rather see an instrument go to a good home than make a profit on it.
There are other marketplaces for instruments; can’t remember the addresses of any offhand, but there are other reputable sites.
I read this board frequently (everyday) and love the information I receive here.
I only wish that I could contribute more but I don’t have the experience to give information that would be insightful.
That being said, I have bought and sold whistles and flutes on this forum and also through the Irish Flute Store.
Everyone I have ever dealt with has been extremely kind and honest.
My only wish is that there was a seperate forum for classified ads. I realize Dale wants to keep the number of forums down but I somtimes feel like I am imposing by trying to sell on a forum more in tune with speading information.
I agree the best place to sell is here.
I’d rather (and I have) sell low here, to someone I know will play the instrument than deal with an online auction or whatever.
Besides, though I know I’ve sold stuff way below their value, I figure I got at least the difference out of playing the things. Plus I get to feel good about getting instruments into the hands of people that might not be able to afford the full “new” price. It’s win/win as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve sold stuff on that big auction site before as well. It was almost as big a pain in the a$$ as having that boil lanced when I was a kid. If I paid myself minimum wage for answering stupid questions through email, I think I ended up losing money.
So get an appraisal either from someone here or wherever, assign a fair price, and know that you might not get it here, but you won’t have to deal with a bunch of nimrods (I’m sorry to any of the nimrods I’ve ever dealt with on ebay, you know I really really do mean it. . .) who may or may not want to actually play the instrument.